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Yest, I created the Selected 19th Century Players thread as a a link for a few threads that Joe had created so we wouldn't lose track of them. Since there was never a thread created for Pearce and he has already been elected, there is no need for a Pearce thread (though it would have been a good idea when he was still eligible).

If possible, I'd like to see this used as a place to keep discussion going of other players who haven't yet been elected to keep them from dropping off the radar as the HoM moves forward. While some, like Beckley and Van Haltren, have strong enough backing to be in the forefront of the ballot for a while, some lesser-known folk with middling support like Charley Jones or Ed Williamson could easily become forgotten entirely.

I placed this here because this looks like the best posibale spot for it.
The reason I requiested a Pearce thread is beacause I was wondering how to factor the Civil War in to his career.

Assuming Pearce was the best player from 1858-1865 (which I'm abought 85% sure is correct maybe it's Creighton or some player lost to history) is that enough to place him in the HoM (even though it to late now to change it)

First of all if I remember correctly it was due to the Civil War that baseball expanded to areas out side of Greater New York so there was just a small amount of men playing it.

Second of all weren't a large number of men off in the army to lessen the number of baseball players even more.

I'm not tryng to start a debate but depending on the answer to this quiston he might make my pHoM or not

Yest, he's a shortstop. Unless he had hit like Wagner or Lloyd (which he didn't), he won't be making your PHOM. :-)

Seriously, that's a much more reasonable request for a Dickey Pearce thread. I don't know if the electorate wants to open up that can of worms again though (I know I really don't!), but if a consensus builds for it...

Beckley. Does he count as 19C? Also Browning and Charley Jones (people will want Pike, though he's not my fave, in which case I want Meyerle too.)

We will need to review the evidence of these guys for when a slot opens in say 1970 and we've got a whole lot of new voters who aren't up the curve on them. I assume all current voters heard all they could possibly want to hear in 1924-32, but that won't be true going forward.

Maybe it would be a good idea to define what we mean by 19th century player -- is it someone who played their whole career in the 19th century (C. Jones, Williamson, Welch), someone who played the majroity of their career then (Beckley, Van Haltren, Ryan), or any part (Tommy Leach)?

Maybe it would be a good idea to define what we mean by 19th century player -- is it someone who played their whole career in the 19th century (C. Jones, Williamson, Welch), someone who played the majroity of their career then (Beckley, Van Haltren, Ryan), or any part (Tommy Leach)?

Whoever played the bulk of his career in the 19th century belongs on this thread.

Of all the names that you mentioned, all would all be acceptable except Leach.

I think, for the future, that a 20th century thread should also be set up for the Leachs, Veachs, etc.

I haven't read the linked article yet but I've previously looked into the pre-NA/NA pitchers Brainard, McBride, Zettlein, Cummings et al and the one I found to be the second best behind Spalding is the much-maligned Candy Cummings. He was a dominant hurler who rarely played for dominant teams. McBride was pretty good - he was already over the hill by the time of the NA so his stats there don't tell you much- but he also pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics who were one of the great teams of the era.